Since 2011, our NEF+ programme has supported hundreds of individuals in growing and establishing their businesses. We celebrate the results of their tenacity, hard work and creativity; carrying forward their learnings at the NEF+ programme into various domains and communities. Here, we share these diverse stories of our alumni and how they are paving the way for future generations and industries.
Lydia Hartley
Founder & CEO of Don’t Shop, Swap
“I had a good marketing background, but when it was time to get something off the ground, NEF+ came at the perfect time.”
read Lydia’s full story →
Julian Boaitey
Founder & CEO of Yendy
NEF+ helped me to validate myself as an entrepreneur, as opposed to the idea of me ‘just owning a business. I now see everything as a learning process, and I know that I will be able to experiment with many things down the road.
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read Julian’s full story →
Elizabeth Anjorin
Founder & CEO of Galore
NEF+ has really helped me shape how I view my business. Just the other day, I was looking at an old pitch deck that I’d done before NEF. And I matched it against a pitch deck I did after NEF+. And I couldn’t believe the difference.
read Elizabeth’s full story →
Jaron Soh
Founder & CEO of Voda
NEF+ has been a reliable sounding board for feedback, advice and peer support for the past 3 years. I’m still in regular contact with NEF+ fellows from my cohort, and also had the opportunity to meet and form friendships with alumni across the years.
read Jaron’s full story →
Maud Millar
Co-Founder & CEO of Adapt
It’s been great still being a part of NEF+, there’s a real sense of family and community, which keeps people coming back. NEF+ is going to start getting better because more and more entrepreneurs are going to give back – and the quality of the network will improve even more.
read Maud’s full story →
Yang Liu
Co-Founder & CEO of JustWears
This is one of the best programmes in London – I’m so glad I made the decision to apply for NEF! Thinking back, our NEF alumni group is so resourceful. It’s been over 10 years since the first cohort and everyone’s creating incredible results – and are still giving back to NEF. Not every community has this much loyalty, and it’s great to see that here.
read Yang’s full story →
Nikita Thakrar
Co-Founder & Director of Included VC
Before joining NEF+ I always had these big dreams and ambitions to impact the world. However, it made me feel different, especially with where I come from. But as soon as I entered NEF+, I felt ‘normal’ – like every other person in the room. There was always someone trying out and learning something new, or someone wanting to develop another thing. I remember being with my cohort, and by the fourth month of the programme, one of the entrepreneurs was already working on their third business idea.
read Nikita’s full story →
Finn Simms
Founder & CEO of Previously
The best thing about NEF+ for me is the networking and being around other aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, to really understand where you are in the world in the entrepreneurial space. It’s easy to feel imposter syndrome when you’re starting a business, so to be surrounded by other people that are just as vulnerable and hungry for growth is incredibly supportive.
read Finn’s full story →
Ed East
Founder of Billion Dollar Boy
There are many people that do not have the networks or communities that can encourage them to take a risk and start their own business. Once you join, NEF really becomes your family and helps you with that. You are in a community where other people are on the same journey, which gives you that encouragement that you need.
read Ed’s full story →
Eliot Brooks
Co-Founder, Thriva
As the founder of a business, you strive to hire multipliers – people who use their intelligence to amplify the smarts and capabilities of the people around them. We undoubtedly found this in our NEFer. Her drive, enthusiasm and dynamism have really helped drive the business forward in the last year.
read Eliot’s full story →
James Beddows
Founder of RideTo
I got way more out than I ever could have imagined. I honestly didn’t realise how big the network side was. I went into it hoping for a catalyst and a launchpad for me to do my own thing, and to be surrounded by people who are all going through the same thing who would be able to motivate me and inspire me. I got all that so much more, including a lot of value from the NEF events and workshops, and the alumni network.
read James’ full story →
Kike Oniwinde
Founder of BYP Network
I got the opportunity to meet people that I wouldn’t have otherwise – on the cohort everyone was from different walks of life and everyone helps each other. If I didn’t have NEF I wouldn’t have the knowledge that I have in terms of what can be done, and how to really grow your startup. I really don’t think that I would be where I am right now. My ambition in the next 6 months is to have a new platform, getting millions of downloads and be the leader in improving diversity in corporations – I want to be global!
read Kike’s full story →
Giovanni Franzan
Founder of Yndica
The learning and development programme workshops have been very valuable to me. There is so much learning when the cohort gets together. In every workshop, I learned something new and the subjects we covered were incredibly important. The NEF network is also very valuable, the mentors and coaches shared opinions and knowledge that was very insightful and I’ve seen the benefits of the community with my own eyes.